Oh, you guys are so nice! I'm scared to post chapters in case they don't live up to expectations! Your kind words have been so supportive. Well, here's the next bit, and I still want all your great reviews. So you know, I love every single one I get!

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing

Kevin woke up in the hospital the next day. He felt much better, but he wasn't sure how he had gotten there. He saw Joan in the chair next to his bed. He called out to her. She jumped a bit at the sudden call, but recovered and went to his bed side.

"Thank goodness you're awake," she murmured,

"What happened?" he asked.

"You were sick, so we got a doctor to check you out. He discovered you had pneumonia. It isn't too bad, and you can go home tomorrow with some antibiotics."

Kevin remained blank. Joan tried to perk him up. "Guess who's here?" she asked

Kevin shrugged.

"Luke!"

Kevin looked amused at the thought. He didn't believe her for a second. So when Luke did enter the room, he was completely shocked.

"Luke," he muttered.

Luke moved over to his brother and gave him a hug. "How's it going mate?"

"Fine."

Luke then updated hi siblings on what he had done over the past couple of years. He had started his degree in surgical medicine, but moved to a general medicine course a year later. He then moved to New York about six months ago. He hadn't spoken to his parents in ages. They all began to realize that they had neglected each other for years. They could hardly call themselves a family. They hadn't a whole family celebration since five years ago at Christmas.

"So nobody knows how mum and dad are?" asked Luke.

"Nope."

Kevin for some reason, got a glazed over look over his eyes, and then without warning, yelled at his siblings. "GET OUT!"

Luke jumped. It was so out of the blue. Joan, however, was used to his outbursts. It had become one of Kevin's character traits. The two younger people stepped out of the room to leave Kevin alone.

They stood outside the door, but they could still hear some soft sobs coming from the room.

Luke turned to Joan, and said "I'm really worried. I think that Kevin is suffering badly from depression. He needs professional help."

Joan just nodded. She'd known that for a long time.

"Joan, I think that we all need some big changes in our life. Don't you find it troublesome that we haven't even seen our parent for years? And let me tell you, you're not the only one in financial trouble. I have so much debt. My house is on the verge of being possessed. That car we came here in? It's a friend's vehicle. Mine was impounded last week," Luke hung his head at this last bit.

"Luke, how did this happen?" asked Joan, shocked at his revelation.

"I don't know. I guess I just slowly dug a bit of trouble for myself."

"Oh, Luke, how did you do that?" said Joan slowly, putting an arm around her upset brother.

Luke didn't answer, but instead hung his head lower than ever.

Joan now knew one thing was for sure – the Girardi family didn't have to worry about falling apart.

It had already had.

OK, you guys know what I want - 4 reviews before I post the next chapter, but the way things are going, I don't have to worry about getting too few!